LATER GATOR: Wide receiver Jeff Demps, a college
teammate of Tim Tebow’s at Florida, is joining the Patriots Photo: AP

Jeff Demps sprinted right past the Jets and into the arms of the rival Patriots yesterday.

Despite interest from the speedstarved Jets and at least seven other NFL teams, the U.S. Olympic sprinter — one of the fastest men in the world — decided to take his talents to NewEngland instead.

The 5-foot-7, 191pound Demps, a former running back with Tim Tebow at Florida, agreed to terms with the Patriots after winning a silver medal in the 4×100 relay at the Olympics in London.

According to sources, the Jets were interested and spoke to Tebow about his exteammate, but did not make a major push to sign Demps.

Demps rushed for nearly 600 yards at Florida last season but didn’t attend the NFL scouting combine and went undrafted after telling teams he intended to concentrate on his Olympic track career. But as soon as that competition was over, Demps hired an agent and sent word he was interested in football again.

Demps, who reportedly chose New England over the Buccaneers, could provide an instant spark to the Patriots’ kickreturn game. Demps is expected to start out on the physically unable to perform list, but that likely would be just a temporary move because he recently dropped 15 pounds for track.